Foodie Friday: Cocktails At Home ~ Recipes & More

{ Via: Williams Sonoma }

It's been a long time since I did any kind of cocktail party, besides a mini Christmas Day celebration with family.  I sure look forward to entertaining again.  In the meantime, why not treat yourself and others in your pandemic pod, to a chic cocktail and a beautiful bite? I mean, we haven't stopped drinking. Have you? Here's inspiration for elevating your next happy hour at home. 

Maple Candied Mixed Nuts

This recipe had me at "Eating healthy doesn't mean you have to skip on a little sweet snack." It's naturally sweetened without refined sugar! I think it is a must make.

Cookie Named Desire

Chelsea Brass Barware

With clean modern lines, each piece together or on its' own, will get the party started.

West Elm

Asian Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

A shrimp cocktail is perfect for small gatherings, even just for one. I would love this dish served with a bottle of champagne. Dinner done! The homemade cocktail sauce has been kicked up a 1,000 notches compared to the stale 

store bought stuff. 

Heather Christo

Gin and Juice

Refreshing with fresh squeezed grapefruit. This cocktail mixes up in a minute.

Taste

Herbed Flatbread With Whipped Feta

Whip up a little something. This appetizer is easy and quick. A great nosh to enjoy at your kitchen island.

The Modern Proper 

Minted Orange and Strawberry Coolers

Oh how pretty. I love a colorful cocktail, but really never drink one. These would make a fab signature drink at brunch!

Half Baked Harvest

Smoked Salmon Tartines With 

Fried Capers

Anything on some sort of bread is always a hit. I found that men especially love it. This little appetizer will fill them up!

Epicurious

Gem Cocktail Picks

Loving the modern pop of color that these picks provide for your cocktail. A wonderful gift, too.

Joanna Buchanan

Beet Hummus

In the words of the recipe author: "Beet hummus is fun, festive, and freaking delicious." I am not a beet lover, but I would make this just for the looks! 

Broma Bakery

Estelle Colored Glass

Spring vibes for #happyhour. This stemware by Estelle Colored Glass, is like joyful jewels for your table. Don't they make you happy? 

Shop BAZAAR 

Timber Bleached Ash Bar

A modern take on the classic bar cart. It's a chic choice for a small space.

CB2

Ultra Creamy Avocado Dip

With just five ingredients, this simple dip only takes five minutes to create. The best news is that it is actually healthy!

Wry Toast Eats

The Griffith Park Swizzle

This is a bourbon and bitters beverage.  The beautiful colors come from lime juice, absinthe, and mint leaves.

Town and Country

Oven Fried Coconut Shrimp

This pictures says a 1000 words like, yum, OMG, and delicious! These little shrimp are finished off with a pineapple chili dipping sauce. Really no dinner needed for the two of us here.

Half Baked Harvest

Pomegranate Thyme Fizz Cocktail

For the vodka lover. Love the glasses, the golden straws and that special spring of thyme!

Glitter Guide

Whipped Cranberry Goat Cheese Spread

Whip up some of this spread, and keep it on hand for hungry cocktailers. A touch of maple syrup or honey will sweeten the deal!

How Sweet Eats

Even though I have not been in a cab in over a year, I could not resist the title of this cocktail. This is what you get when you mix red wine, pink lemonade and vodka! Cab please...

Food Wine Sunshine

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Wedding Wednesday: Say I Do At A Table For 2 or 22

Weddings are going forward in 2021, but with a  more intimate guest list. These micro weddings offer the bride and groom the opportunity to pay more attention to design details like table decor. Town & Country magazine names the "bespoke table"  a major trend this year.  NgLp Designs, a luxury brand of designer placemats and table decor accessories, brings art to the table for all of life's celebrations. Here's inspiration for your own intimate wedding.  

The Ruffle Pocket

What a darling detail! Think about using this  pocket to hold your dinner menu. 

Get The Look: You can find both the white Goa Chopsticks and the Kim Seybert Agate Napkin Rings  at Amara.

Black Tie Pocket

Feeling formal? A black and white wedding is always in style. In fact, Brides magazine tells us that formal settings are trending this year. These pretty pockets will hold a menu, napkin, or even a  program. 

Get The Look: For beautiful deckle edge black or white place cards with calligraphy look to Paperwing Letters.  Matouk has stylishly Scalloped Napkins similar to those above.  

Black Tie Placemat
Let the party begin! Ruffles soften the look of the black faux leather, much like a ruffled tuxedo shirt. The setting is dramatic, modern, and all dressed up.

Get The Look: Find the Goa Chopsticks at Amara. A good and affordable dinnerware option in black and white is this stoneware. The mixing of patterns add interest. Mod Party's shiny small boxes are understated but elegant. Place them on the table with a truffle or two inside. Keep it tasteful.

Quatrefoil Silver Mat w/ Square Grommets

Black, white and silver - what a pretty palette. This placemat presents a minimal look which is the perfect backdrop to the geometric dishes.  Love the silver grommets, which gives added sparkle to 

the table.

Get The Look: The dishes above are by Caskata and can be found at Williams Sonoma. Why not register for them? If you are really on a budget, and doing the reception outdoors, these black and white paper plates are fabulous!

Silver Lining

For the Placemat Girls, there is always a silver lining to any occasion.  This placemat in several shades of grey is simply stunning. When paired with the matching napkin ring, it makes a sparkling statement! Add to the table a bottle of your favorite wine. The collection of gift bags add a special touch to each gift.

Get The Look: The gift bag above is accented with a Kelly Wearstler bottle stopper, which is so much fun, but out of stock everywhere.  For a quite a bit less, The Glo Boutique has a lovely heart stopper. 

Textures & Tones

Keeping it neutral? NgLp Designs has all the chic colors you could want. Why not mix it up at each table? For extra stylish service, one of their artisanal napkin rings serves up interest as a flatware holder.  The feather adds the whimsy. 

Love the rustic layered look of the slab of wood above? You can find something very close at 

ReWood Products

Pretty & Practical Pockets

Here's  another look at these haute holders. They will hold flatware, menus, personal notes, table numbers and more. By the way another trend for 2021 according to Brides Magazine, is assigned seating at the ceremony,  for social distancing. Why not pass out one to each guest with their seat number and program? That makes a style statement that will never be forgotten.

Get The Look:  Paradise Invitations is a sensational  source for all things wedding paper.  You can choose from 95 printed menu styles for starters. Love the black, vellum and deckled papers.

The Gala Placemat

Fabulous in every way. The Gala is a look like no other. The golden grommets and laced up look can go casual or dressy. If you love pink, consider mixing it with deeper hues, as styled above, for a 

sophisticated statement.

Get The Look: These Hemstitched Pure Linen Dinner Napkins at Reeve Co in blush are beautiful! On a budget? Zen Linen has a pink polyester napkin that is super affordable. Consider the vellum place cards at SJ Letter Company in burgundy or brown to complete the tablescape.

Getting Funky

A luxe layered look with the Funk placemat. The shades of purple create a depth of both color and style at each place setting. 

Get The look: Mixed and matched with the Funk placemat is Arte Italica's Tesoro Charger. It's fab, but pricey. A less expensive option can be found at Etsy.  Mackenzie-Childs Butterfly dishes add a breath of springtime. Noritake's Plum Plates would mix in wonderfully.

The Clover Placemat

This mat plays well with nature both in color and its' organic shape. I love it used for an outdoor wedding.

Get The Look: Recreate the centerpiece without a florist! World Market has a cylinder vase that just might work perfectly, and the price is right. Fill it with bling black acrylic vase fillers. They will add the drama in a clear vase. To complete this nature inspired table, these tree branches ship to you for free. More here.

Ruffle Gift Bags

This soft green gift bag has been handmade, like everything offered. It's a good color to use at your outdoor party. The color of nature. Note how perfectly the ribbon matches the fabric. The ruffle pocket provides the perfect spot for a welcome or thank you note. 

Get The Look: I know that you will find just the right paper stock at Paradise Invitations for those notes. If gifting a bottle of wine, why not personalize a wine label? You'll find over 100 styles at Farrah and Eve. It's all about the special touches!

Winter White Placemats

Frilly and fun. The off white color isn't just for winter, however. They would pair wonderfully with your champagne color wedding dress. 

Get The Look: Mario Luca Giusti's acrylic tumblers add a pop of purple.  The Bashful Bride offers almost the exact brass and glass vases.

The Kiss Napkin Ring

Seal your setting with a kiss. The handcrafted napkin ring adds a passionate pop of color.

Get The Look: CB2 had a stylish selection of black dinnerware and flatware. 

~ Meet The Placemat Girls ~

The Founders of NgLp Designs, Nathalie Gluckstein and Letizia Petti, are the design duo that create all of this fabulousness. They have been designing their bespoke and handcrafted table decor since 2012.  These working mothers combine their individual expertise in interior and graphic design, social media, and digital marketing, and bring to us the most beautiful artisan made art for your table. 

Tie The Knot & Find NgLp Designs

Pinterest    Instagram   Website

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Zoom Worthy Spring Tops

The word "Zoom" has taken on a new meaning in the last year. If you are working from home, and have a lot of video meetings, or just enjoy the weekly happy hour zoom with friends, you want to look your best. This roundup of 13 tops will get you noticed. It's all about the details like a dramatic sleeve, a cold shoulder, a ruffle or a pleat. As always, there's a style for every budget.

Batwing Wool Top

Fluid and fab. It's made from merino wool and mulberry silk. Just great!

Cos Stores

Rib Knit Top

A very versatile top at an affordable price. This will be a "go to" piece in your wardrobe.

H & M

Ganni Printed Mesh Shirt

This is the perfect layering piece, be it over a cami, tank or black tee shirt. It can be worn open or buttoned up. A good style to add to your

WFH wardrobe.

Shopbop 

Up To Speed Jacket

Love this less than $100 faux leather jacket. It can be layered over anything. Add a neck scarf and cover up your dull tee shirt for your next zoom meeting. Also available in Caramel.

Tuckernuck

Alastor Sweater

I have a black and white button sweater, that I have forgotten all about. Like this fabulous piece, it would be perfect for my zoom cocktail hours. 

Staud Clothing

Fiala Shirt

A good white shirt will take you anywhere. This stylish shirt has been made with 75% cotton and 25% silk. It's both fresh and feminine.

AllSaints

Roy Mixed Media Pullover

Artfully created to look like a vest worn over a pretty eyelet blouse, this is one terrific top. It's effortlessly chic.

Veronica Beard  or  Nordstrom

Skyler Kaftan
It's a dress, it's a top, it's a kaftan! I personally would wear it as a coverup.  Make sure that you use your hands a lot while you zoom and talk. Those sleeves are amazing!

Cynthia Rowley

Cashmere Crewneck
"Your Spring fashion forecast calls for a cloud of cashmere, quite literally." Its' cloud like softness and pretty print is a great way to hit refresh for the new season.

White & Warren

Jayda High Neck Blouse

This blouse brings on the drama without busting the budget. It's less than $75. Loving the drapey fit and those sleeves! So perfect for a WFH Zoom.

ASOS

Mary's Garden Blouse

No wallflower, you! This fun floral will get you noticed at the meeting or cocktail hour.

Farm Rio

Cold Shoulder Sweater

On a zoom date? Wear this for a little flirtiness. Perfect for those looking for a budget buy.

Shein

Monterey Poncho
I own this in black. Love it! Awaiting the delivery of this color. Wear it over a white blouse as shown, or as I do over and black long sleeve top. Less than $70. and light enough to wear in the Spring.

Tuckernuck

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